Proof

Do you remember the classic "Life" cereal commercial years ago when a new cereal was presented to the family breakfast table. The three boys looked at their bowls with great hesitattion...then slid one of the bowls over to the littlest brother and said "lets give it to Mickey"...and it was all on Mickey's shoulders as to whether it was eatible and good. He was the guinnea pig. And when he tasted his first spoonful and went back quickly for more...they had their answer...if he liked it then they were sure to like it.

Well we had the same thing happen last night...the daddy's weren't home so the girls brought the kids over for dinner...a new recipe for chicken and dumplings
(outstanding rave reviews from ther adults if you want it...kids are a little hesitant of anything that is blended.) but as it was served to the kids...Catherine was not quite ready to sit still and William and Blake just looked at it..but neither one was brave enough to try it.. finally with a little coersion, Blake the four year old decided he would try it..William - almost 3- was especially taking mental notes becasue Blake is his hero...and if Blake likes it chances are he will too. And just like Mickey....we waited for the verdict...and ...."he likes it". We all clapped and dinner was on... ...one piece of chicken at a time...dumplings were still in review...except for Catherine (almost 2) who once she sits still will usually eat anything...

I tell you this story because aren't we like that even as adults...we wait around for someone else to try something and if it is something that they have found favor with then chances are we might like it too. We wait for proof...we want to see results...in someone else...before we accept it as truth..But in reality the real truth is that something can be good for someone else that isn't necessarily good for us. We have to weigh it and measure it according to our own instincts and our own needs. And then we decide whether or not it is a worthy enough option for us to try.

How exactly did you become a Christian? Was it because someone else had gone before you and you had proof that something was differnent in their lives that made them stand out in a positive way? Was it something in their character that you looked at and thought:.I want that....how do I get it? Or maybe it wasn't by example but by word...but it was spoken in a way that you understood and the spoken words that gave you hope when a situation seemed dreary...or made you feel accepted and loved when you were in a lonely spot...or spoke to you of forgiveness when you had just blundered in a big way? Chances are that God, through his Holy Spirit opened up your heart just enough for you to allow his position of grace to flow through. And once it started flowing....it was the start of something that would prove to be beneficial to all aspects of your life.

I don't know how you became a Christian but I do know that it was by example and word that I became one. I chose to believe what I was told because as I watched the people who were telling me the stories...I also watched the way they lived....and how they responded to others...and then I would watch as others responded to them...I wanted to be a part of that network that God was chairing....but I had to try it our and see if there would be proof...in the way God could transform my life. It is a slow process.. but God is never in a hurry....and I now can say with proof that God's way does work...when I remember to adhere to it. We are now the "Mickeys' ". We are the leaders of the Christian movement today. We can speak with conviction but we must live and love with conviction as well.

The proof that Christ is living within us is shown by the fruit of His Spirit that comes out of us. Are we kind and patient, and good and self controlled...do we try to see others through God's eyes or do we see them through our own limited judgment. Do we give passes and forgive even if it has not been asked for or do we hold grudges? Do we stand on hope or give way to despondency? Are we encourging or are we critical? These are just a few of the signs that we must keep in mind if we are to further the kingdom of God.

The way that we live...the way that we respond to others, the way that we speak, the opportunities that we seek and the people that we meet....are all indications of who we are living our lives for; ourselves or God.

Acts 1:3
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

We have been given proof....in word and by example by Jesus Himself. We see it in people today who seek to live by his creed of excellence and of love. We read of it in times of old...of dedication and loyalty and respect and honor and glory for God our Father and the son and the Holy Spirit. Now it is us who are called to be living proof that God still is a living God who loves us and has called us to be His messengers...to live by his example and speak of his love. and to help others know of his grace and his forgiveness and his truth. We are the "Mickeys" of today..the classic example of someone who had tried God and knows him to be good and worthy enough to hold tight to....and pass along to others. For others are watching and looking for hope...and are looking for peace, and comfort and forgiveness...and grace and love...and we are just the ones to pass it on.
Who is watching you at your table?

Dear Lord, How I love it that you have given us proof of who you are and how we are to love others.Help us to pass that love on...as we are given your blessings and presented with your opportunities.

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for His glory will shine through.

www.cathyjodeit.com